In 2003 I moved "up north" I was 25 years old and engaged to be married that summer. I immediately befriended Bryan Bilinski of Field Sport LTD in my home town, this relationship developed into a win win situation, I got to hang out and learn from Field Sport and my hotel earned a nice group of customers from the shop, including during the Shooting Schools where I would meet instructors such as Michael MacIntosh, Chris Batha, Dr. Hilt, Doug Tate, and others. Also I immediately became good friends with the Gun Smith, Del Whitman, of now DC Whitman Gunsmithing.

That 2003 season I went around the woods with a 20 gauge Beretta with 26 inch barrels that barely scratched six pounds on the scale. I did this cause, well that's what the books said would make a nice grouse gun. Needless to say I shot a few Doodles and even a few grouse but nothing that led me to believe these grouse were anything but un-killable for the most part.

The following summer after spending many evenings at the local gun club; I came to learn that I shot my 12 Gauge Auto far better. One day at FieldSport I mentioned to Bryan that I was going to save my money up and get a Rizzini some day. Well long story short, Sig was no longer going to import B. Rizzini's and I had a bonus that just showed up, and had no business doing what I did (we were saving for a house that summer, a real honest down payment at a time of ZERO down and 5n1 interest only arms). So I forked over $1850.00 for a Sig B. Rizzini 12 gauge with 28inch tubes, that was the third single most expensive thing I had ever purchased, behind the diamond ring and my truck. Del bent and padder her up for me, work I never paid for from what Bryan called "a great deal."

For the last 8 seasons that gun, now to be known as "Thunder Rolls" amongst my merry band of hunting partners and idiots. Thunder Rolls has logged a lot of miles, she has shot a lot of clays, killed a lot of birds in many different states. Oh along the way I've I paused to flirt with other guns, none of which have worked as well. I've had some great shooting streaks, killed Ruffs, WC, Pheasants, Huns, Sharps, and Quail with her, some ducks, some wild Squab. I carried it to kill four birds and win Bella two RGS gun dog of the year trophy's.

Well in 2010 I found a crack, Fieldsport sent it off to David Vandenbrant as Del Whitman was on vacation, Vandenbrant did a great job of glueing it back together, but he did not do good enough job for the abuse I give it (this is nothing personal). It lasted 1.5 seasons and the glue was gone.I took it to Del today, to see his new baby and figure out this crack, have it sonic cleaned and reblued. The crack,well it was bigger, right in the wrist, and when Del took it off the action, put some pressure on it, it flaked right off, the whole left side broke off. He claims he can fix it, but no promises. I'm sad.

I have some options: One of which is a generous offer from Del to make me a stock and fore arm at a greatly reduced rate, he claims he can match the stocks weight and demensions perfectly. I would have the barrells reblued and walk away with a fine gun, hand crafted by a very good friend. Cost would push buying one of the same guns used, this is on the extreme buddy deal.

I can call Rizzini and order a new stock and forearm, have Del cobble them into the same demensions but no promises on weight. Most likely $500-600 bucks.

I'm sad tonight, what would you do? Money is a factor, not because I don't have it, but becaues having a stock made might cost as much as a new gun.

--------------Tim KisieleskiFritz, if you think falling off the roof, and fracturing your hip was painfull (not to mention all your buddies laughing at you over it ) how do you think your gonna feel falling over one of Marks dogs.

Well, from the sounds of it you need to fix it, replacing it just doesn't seem like an option for a gun that has meant so much to you. I would probably take the practical approach and order new wood then have it customized to replicate the old one. 5-600 seems like a small price to save a trusted tool.

Weight should be easy to manipulate. You probably can even request they send a lighter set, they know the difference.

If it were mine I would fix it. From your story it sounds like the gun and you have made some memories. Just fix it, you'll be glad you did.

--------------"The gun is the essential link between the man and the kind of sport he pursues. It is not enough that it should be well adapted to one of the other. For the best success, it must be fully adapted to both" - Gough ThomasRIP Dad-KDW- 11/14/47-11/11/12

--------------Tim KisieleskiFritz, if you think falling off the roof, and fracturing your hip was painfull (not to mention all your buddies laughing at you over it ) how do you think your gonna feel falling over one of Marks dogs.

--------------When you have shot one bird flying you have shot all birds flying. They are all different and they fly in different ways but the sensation is the same and the last one is as good as the first. Ernest Hemingway

I have a 20 gauge auto, weighs the same as BUL, plus my friend Scott, a die hard BUL man, still searching for a stack barrel to meet the BUL's magic, why? Well you and I both know the answer.

--------------Tim KisieleskiFritz, if you think falling off the roof, and fracturing your hip was painfull (not to mention all your buddies laughing at you over it ) how do you think your gonna feel falling over one of Marks dogs.

You might wanna rethink the stout loads you are running through it too.

I don't shoot it at Clays anymore, I have a back up just like it, only a tad heavier and a C hair different comb diam. If it can't handle a box a season of 1 1/4oz pheasant type loads, well I gots other problems.

I think working on not falling once a day while hunting is a better idea.

--------------Tim KisieleskiFritz, if you think falling off the roof, and fracturing your hip was painfull (not to mention all your buddies laughing at you over it ) how do you think your gonna feel falling over one of Marks dogs.

Fritz, the break on your gun sounds very similar to what happened to my 20ga Beretta a few years ago. I posted the results here:LINKY

I'm willing to bet a real pro could fix it very well and you'd never know it was there.Failing that, a new stock made by a friend, that fits you to a T...well, that's priceless. A shotgun stock is like a good rifle scope, that's why a lot of people advise you to spend more on glass than on the rifle. Same here--a good shotgun is worthless if it doesn't fit you so to me, assuming you start with something that will last, the relative cost of the gun vs the stock is irrelevant.

--------------Please consider our early successional habitats before not printing this email.

Call Rizzini and get a stock. Have Del fit it. You are a good enough shooter that a few ounces won't matter. The gun has already built the nostalgia. It came with a Rizzini stock. Put another one on it and let the memories grow.